In the late evening hours of Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, Violanda (nee LaPorta) Barczak, 97, passed from this world to be with her husband of 71 years, Bernard Barczak, and her cherished son, Robert (the late Ellen) Barczak.
Violanda, who was also known as Vi or Landa, was born on May 9, 1929, in Milwaukee. Until marrying Bernard on July 12, 1947, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Landa spent her life on the East side of Milwaukee, attending Cass Street Elementary School and Lincoln High School. She worked in the grocery industry for many years, then went on to complete her employment history as a wedding floral designer. She was very creative, and it showed in her work with flowers and her gorgeous holiday decorating. Landa also enjoyed cooking. Her greatest joy was always making certain everyone was fed. You never left her presence without having something to eat or drink.
Landa is survived by her dedicated daughters, Barbara (the late Richard) DesRault, and Judy (Dennis) Karweik; her grandchildren, William (Marie Day) Barczak, Jennifer Karweik, Michael (Staci) DesRault, Jeanna (Christopher) Mingus, and Andrew (Kristine) DesRault; and great-grandchildren Marques Barczak; Kaitlyn, Kyleigh and Christopher John (C.J.) Mingus, and Christina, Bryson, and Charles DesRault. Violanda is also survived by her dear, dear brother, Dante (MaryEllen) LaPorte, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews and friends.
Violanda was preceded in death by her parents, Salvatore and Filippa (nee Orefice) LaPorte; mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Tekla (Frankowiak) Barczak; daughter-in-law, Ellen (Lasik) and son-in-law, Richard DesRault. She was also proceeded in death by sisters, Rosario (the late Joseph) Gasperetti, Frances (the late James) McMahon, and Mary (the late Jack) Jessen; brothers, Antonio (infant), Anthony (the late Lorraine) LaPorte, Ronald LaPorta, Valentino (Pam) LaPorte, and Richard (Mary Allice) LaPorte; and in-laws Isabel (the late John) Kubczak, Florence (the late Gary) Sowinski, Lillian Dukiel, Raymond (the late Mary) and Clarence (the late Gloria) Barczak.
Services for Violanda will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Wisconsin Memorial Park, Chapel of the Chimes, 13235 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield. Visitation will be from 9 until 11 a.m. followed by a Christian funeral service. Internment will take place immediately afterward.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of Linden Ridge Assisted Living, Linden Court Memory Care, and especially, St. Croix Hospice, for their gentle, compassionate care of Violanda during the past six years.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. For on-line condolences, please visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.